Connector for a terminal block or the like



Z// ATTORNEY June 8, 1955 United States Patent Oflce y 3,188,5@3 Patented June 8, 1965 3,183,693 CONNECTQR FOR A TERNUNAL BLCK R THE LIKE Paul H. Snider, 211 S. Parini/ood Lane, Wichita, Kans. Fiied Aug. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 214,945 7 Claims. (Cl. 339-198) This application is a continuation-impart of my c0- pending patent application entitled Connector for a Terminal Block or the Like, Serial No. 143,760, tiled October 9, 1961.

This invention relates to connector means, and more specically to a connector for a telephone terminal block or the like. Still more specically, the invention relates to an improved connector for telephone terminal blocks or the like having means therewith to limit movement of the connector relative 4to the terminal block. More specically, `the invention relates to connector means for interconnecting electrical conductors on a .terminal block or the like wherein means are provided to limit movement or" the connector means rela-tive to the terminal block.

Various types of connector means are known to the prior art, including connector means specically constructed and adapted for use on terminal blocks and the like. The connector means 4of the .prior art do not provide satisfactory means for limiting longitudinal movement of the connector means when mounted on a terminal block or the like. In the absence of suitable means to limit longitudinal movement, the connector means can be displaced relative to the terminal block and in some instances are displaced .to such an extent that electrical contact between the connector and the pins of the block is substantially reduced.

In accordance with the present invention, improved connector means for a terminal block or the like are provided which include an insulator member and conductor means carried by the member. A portion of the conductor Vmeans projects from the member and is shaped to be attachable to a pin or the like on a terminal block and in electrical contact therewith. Stop means are connected to the insulator member and are engageable with a pin or the like of the terminal block to limit movement of the connector means relative to the pin.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide new connector means.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved connector means for a terminal block -in a telephone distribution system or the like.

Another object of 4the invention is to provide new connector means for a telephone terminal block or the like having stop means therewith engageable with a pin of the terminal block to limit movement of the connector means relative to the pin.

Another object of the invention is to provide new connector means for telephone terminal blocks or the like wherein stop means on the connector means are positioned and located to be out of the interfering way of the clip means of the connec-tor and positioned to limit longitudinal movement of the connector means relative to pins of the terminal block or the like.

Various .other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial isometric view of an end portion of a terminal block or the like of a telephone distribution system showing a preferred specific embodiment of a con- Y nector of the invention positioned thereon.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the preferred specic embodiment of the connector of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal cross section view through the connector of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial elevation view of the connector of FIG. 2 illustrating the position and location of the stop means of the invention relative to the clip means.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial longitudinal cross section view through another preferred specic embodiment of the invention illustrating another preferred construction of the clip means.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new improved connector means for a terminal block or the like of the invention, such being made with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/ or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the `scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a common telephone block for telephone distribution systems or the like is shown generally at lil and includes a wall 12 which lis normally composed of a plurality of segments 14 which -are held in assembled relation by a mounting bolt or the like .16 and which also connects the lsegments 1d of the wall 12 to a transversely positioned base or the like 1S. The base 18 of the block 10 has a plurality of holes 24? th-rough which electrical conductors `or wires 22 are passed when wiring .the terminal block. Mounting holes 21 areV provided in base 1S and have a shoulder 23 therein engageable by a mounting bolt, not shown, when mounting the terminal block on supporting structure.

The segments 14 of wall 12 receive and mount a plurality of terminal pins 24 which preferably extend transverse .to the wal1r12-and each are positioned in spaced relation to adjacent ones thereof. The segments 14 of wall 12 electrically insulate the pins 24 from each other. The pins 24 project from both sides of the wall 112 and are normally aligned in groups of six as illustrated in FIG. 1. The wires or electrical conductors 22 are attached to the end portions of the terminal pins 24- in any suitable manner, such as by soldering or the like. Normally, one side or end portion of each of the pins 24 is connected by the wires or electrical conductors 22 to central office switching equipment and the other side or end ofthe pins is operatively connected to a telephone by other of the wires 22. When a telephone is disconnected, out of order, or otherwise not in operating condition, it is desirable to automatically Vtransfer a call directed to the telephone to an operator or to a recording device to play a recorded message indicating status -of the telephone. This is normally done by providing three separate conductors or electrical wires which connect pairs of the pins 24 in each row of pins to provide the desired connection. The connector means of the invention eliminates the need for such interconnecting or wiring and further provides a connector which cannot be inadventently moved relative .to the pins 24 to reduce contact between the pins and the connector.

In 4a preferred specific embodiment of the invention, the connector member is shown generally at 30 and includes an elongated and generally rectangular member 32 formed preferably of a rigid and electric current insulating material. Member 32 is preferably a molded article made of a suitable plastic material such as polyethylene, polyepoXide, polypropylene, polystyrene, vinyl plastics, nylon, etc., or it can be made of rubber or rubber-like materials or other insulator materials, including glass. A portion of one end of the member 32 is cutaway to form a notch 34 which is provided `so that the upper edge portion of the connector 3@ does not unduly interefere with the attaching for removing of a conductor 22 on a top pin of adjacent rows -of terminal pins 24, or interfere with other structure positioned along the upperportion of wall 12 of terminal block 10. The notch 34 denes a projecting finger-like portion k35 which can be gripped when mounting and removing member 32.

Three metallic conductors 38, and 42 are provided and each of the conductors has an elongated center portion which `is preferably embedded in the member 32 and such are transversely positioned in spaced relation across the member 32 as illustrated `in the drawings. The conductors 38, lil and 4t2 4are thus electrically .insulated from each other by the plastic or other insulating material of the member 32. The end portions of the conductors 3S, 4i) and 42 preferably project lfrom one afe 44 of the member 32. The projecting end portions of the conductor 38 are bent and shaped to form spring clips 46 and 48 which preferably face the same direction and desirably face the end portion of Itho `member 32 opposite from the linger-like projection 36. The conductor 40 has end portions forming clips as shown at 50 and 52 and the conductor 42 has end portions forming clips shown at 54 and G, and the clips of conductors 3S, il and 42 are of like shape and construction. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the projecting end port-ions of the conductors 38, 4l@ and 42 are shaped to form the clips merely by ybending the end portions thereof toward the end portion of the end member 32 opposite from the linger-like portion 36. The terminal pins 24 `are gripped Ibetween the clips or end portions of the conductors and the member 32 when the connector Si? is mounted on terminal block .10.

The conductors 38, @il and 42 are preferably of like size and are longitudinally positioned in transverse spaced relation in the mem-ber 32 and are desirably staggered longitudinally within the plastic member 32 with the conductor 4t? being centrally located in the member 32. The clip means S4 of the conductor 42 .is preferably positioned adjacent the base of the finger-like projecting portion 35 of the member 32.

An .integrally formed elongated stop 66 projects from lthe face 44 of lthe member 32 and is desirably positioned below and to the inside side of the clip 54 at the lower or open end portion thereof as is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 4. The stop 60 is preferably rectangular in transverse cross section or in top plan view land the length of the stop is preferably longitudinal of the member 32. De.-

ysirably the lower end or edge ofthe stop 60 is located approximately at the upper edge or end of the clip 50 as illustrated in FlG. 4. With this positioning of the stop (ril, such can be relatively easily yintegrally formed with the member 32 and does not interfere with mounting of the member 3G on the terminal pins 24'. The member 32 is mounted on the pins 24 by moving member 32 from the end portions of the pins 24 inwardly toward wall 12 and the stop 60 is then positioned between the top two `of the terminal pins 24 `as lillustrated in FIG. l. Should the member `32 be urged upwardly or downwardly, that is longitudinal of the member 32, the stop 69 will engage the adjacent ones of the pins Q4 and limit or prevent longitudinal movement of the entire connector which would reduce or eliminate electrical contact between the pins `and the clips. The stop di? preferably projects from face 44- of member 3.2 `approximately vthe same distance as the clips as is best illustrated in FIG. 3.

When the connector Sil is mounted on the terminal pins 24 of the terminal block l0 as illustrated in FlG. l, the terminal pins 24 are connected electrically into three .pairs and thereby accomplishes the function which previously .required three separate electrical conductors `and `individual ywiring of same to pairs of the terminal pins -of electrical conductors, one `of which is shown at 72 and is similar to the conductor 42 of the previously described embodiment. conductor members areprovided in the member 70 and lt is to .be understood that two additional are positioned in the manner of conductors 38 and 49 illustrated in FlG. 2 of the drawings. The embodiment of FG. 4 differs from the previously described embodiment in that the clip means 74 .and 75 formed from the projecting end portions of the electrical conductor 72 include inner portions and S@ and cuter portions 82 and S4. The inner portions 73 and Sil of the clips are generally parallel to the outer .portions 52 and 34, respectively, `and they are joined by integral end portions E6 and 8S, respectively. Thus, the clips or end portions of the conductor are shaped to provide a recess which receives `the terminal pins 2d and by this construction the terminal pins and the conductors of the connector are in electrical contact on both sides of the clip when same is mounted on the terminal pins. T his is quite desirable and `improves electrical contact between the connector member and the terminal pins. In this embodiment, a stop 9% is provided and is constructed and positioned in the manner described hereinbefore in connection with the stop 68. The stop fit) functions in the manner previously described to limit or prevent longitudinal movement of the connector member when such is mounted on the pins of the terminal block.

While the invention has been described in connection with the pret'crred specilic embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description isintended to illustrate and not to unduly limit the scope of the invention, which is dened lby the claims.

I claim:

l. A connector for a telephone distribution system having a terminal block with a plurality of rows of six ter- -minal pins mounted in spaced relation with the pins in each row being vertically aligned `and projecting from each side of said block and electrically insulated from each other, one end portion of each of said pins being connectable to a central oi-lice switching unit, said connector comprising, in combination, an elongated and generally rectangular member `formed of a rigid electr-ic current insulating plastic material, a notch in one corner of said member delininCr la projecting ngerlike end portion, three metallic conductors, each of said conductors having an elongated center portion embedded in said member and integrally formed end portions projecting from one face of said member, said end portions being shaped to Aform spring clips facing the end portion tof said member opposite from said end portion having said notch, said clips being shaped from said one face of said member, `said conductors being of like size and longitudinally positioned in transverse spaced relation in said member and staggered longitudinally of said plastic member with the middle one of said conductors being centrally located in said member end with one of said clip means being positioned yadjacent the base portion of said flngerlilre end .portion thereof, and an integrally formed elongated stop projecting from said one .face of said member and positioned below and to the inside side of said last-named clip at the open end thereof, said stop being rectangular in transverse cross section with the length thereof longitudinal said member, said connector `being constructed `and adapted to be mounted on a row of :said pins on said terminal block with said pins being positioned between and engaged by said clips in said member with said conductors electrically connecting three pairs of said pins and with said stop positioned beneath one of said pins and preventing inadvertent longitudinal movement of said connector relative to said pins.

2. The connector as delined in claim 1 wherein said clips are shaped to provide a recess to receive said pins and be in electrical contact with both sides thereofwhen mounted thereon.

3. A connector' for a telephone distribution system or the like having a terminal block with a plurality of rows of pins mounted in spaced relation in said block and electrically insulated from each other, said connector com.

prising, in combination, an elongated member formed of aisance a rigid electric current insulating material, a notch in one end portion or" said member, three metallic conductors embedded in said member and having end portions projecting from one face of said member and shaped to form clips facing the other end portion of said member, and a stop projecting from said one face of said member located in spaced relation to the open end of one of said clips and positioned below and to the inside side of said one of said clips, said connector being constructed and adapted to be mounted on said pins of said terminal block with said clips in electrical contact with said pins and with said stop means limiting longitudinal movement of said connector relative to said block.

4. The connector as deiined in claim 3 wherein said clips are shaped to provide a recess to receive said pins and be in electrical contact with both sides thereof when mounted thereon. y

5. Connector means for a terminal block or the like, comprising, in combination, an insulator member, a plurality of elongated conductor means connected to said insulator member, each of said conductor means having end portions projecting from one face of said member and positioned in spaced relation to each other, said projecting end portions of said conductor means being shaped to form longitudinally extending spaced clips attachable to a terminal pin of a terminal block or the like and establish electrical contact therewith, a stop on said insulator member projecting from said one face thereof and positioned relative to said clips to limit movement of said connector when mounted on said pins, one end portion of said member having a notch to prevent inadvertent removal of said member from said terminal block when Wiring same.

' 6. A connector for a telephone distribution system or the like having a terminal block with a plurality of rows of pins mounted in spaced relation in said block and electrically insulated from each other, said connector comi prising, in combination, an elongated member formed of a rigid electric current insulating material, three metallic conductors embedded in said member and having end portions projecting from one face of said member and shaped to form longitudinally extending clips, and a stop projecting from said one face of said elongated member located in spaced relation to the open end of one of said clips and positioned below and to the inside side of said another of said clips, said connector being constructed and adapted to be mounted on said pins of said terminal block with said clips in electrical contact With said pins and with said stop means limiting longitudinal movement of said connector relative to said block.

7. A connector for a telephone distribution system or the like having a terminal block with a plurality of -roWs of pins mounted in spaced relation in said block and elec; trically insulated from each other, said connector comprising, in combination, an elongated member formed of a rigid electric current insulating material, a plurality of metallic conductors embedded in said member and having end portions projecting from one face of said member and shaped to form longitudinally extending clips, and a stop projecting from said one face of said elongated member located in spaced relation to the end of one of said clips and positioned below and to the inside side of said another Vot" said clips, said connector being constructed and adapted to be mounted on said pins of said terminal block with said clips in electrical contact with the pins" and with said stop means limiting longitudinal movement of said connector relative to said block.

References Cited by the Examiner UNiTED STATES PATENTS 1,537,081 5/25 Graham 339-151 1,913,871 6/33 Connell et al. 179-91 2,724,811 11/55 Poupitch 339-132 2,849,760 8/58 Perkin 339-198 FOREGN PATENTS 713,458 8/54 Great Britain.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner. 

5. CONNECTOR MEANS FOR A TERMINAL BLOCK OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, AN INSULATOR MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED CONDUCTOR MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID INSULATOR MEMBER, EACH OF SAID CONDUCTOR MEANS HAVING END PORTIONS PROJECTING FROM ONE FACE OF SAID MEMBER AND POSITIONED IN SPACED RELATION TO EACH OTHER, SAID PROJECTING END PORTIONS OF SAID CONDUCTOR MEANS BEING SHAPED TO FORM LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SPACED CLIPS ATTACHABLE TO A TERMINAL PIN OF A TERMINAL BLOCK OR THE LIKE AND ESTAB- 